Career
James Kim Ji-seok was ordained a priest on June 29, 1968. On November 19, 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed him Coadjutor Bishop of Wonju. He was consecrated bishop on January 14, 1991 by Daniel Tji Hak Soun.
Company-consecrators were the Archbishop of Seoul, Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, and the Apostolic Nuncio to South of Korea, Archbishop Ivan Dias.
On March 12, 1993 he succeeded Daniel Tji Hak Soun.